LIFESTYLE: Family Weekend + Shopping Haul

As the weekend is upon us once again, I've gotten a little sad about the slump in plans. Looking forward, I have great plans to visit my boyfriend for the 4th of July holiday weekend, and last weekend was an absolute blast because my mom and grandma made the 7 hour drive just for two days with me. I have the best family :)

1. The most amazing blueberry almond oatmeal. I'm normally not a big fan of blueberries, but this might have converted me. The best part? The restaurant is just 15 minutes from my house.

2. My goodies from the weekend. I went a little shopping crazy after actually having people to get out and about with for the first time in a long while.

3. The magazines I picked up for 50% off! You best believe I'll be reading these cover to cover and then using them for an inspiration board + two new lip products (more on those to come later)

4. I let out my inner gypsy with a satin open shoulder peasant top and dangle earrings. I've recently become obsessed with fun earrings. Maybe it's because it's getting to be too hot for statement necklaces.

We had the best time doing touristy things around the area I'm living, showing them where I've been working the last month, and just sitting down and enjoying each other's company. I didn't realize how much I would miss them! It makes me appreciate the time I do have that much more now.

PS- I struggled with where to "categorize" this post. The great thing about categories is that it makes blog planning super easy. I can assign a category to a day of the week and my life is so much simpler! The only snag is when random posts pop up that I want to blog, but don't fit neatly anywhere. So while this may not be a traditional "lifestyle" post, I'm just taking a deep breath and realizing not EVERYTHING has to tuck away neatly. Baby steps.

xoxo, Katie

Pattern Mixin' and Country Livin'

I've been putting off posting this because, well, it's been a busy week, haha. Getting acclimated to this new town, new people, trying to make new friends..it gets exhausting! These photos seem so far away even though they were just three weeks ago..

Top- Forever21

Shorts- Thrifted

Necklace- Betsey Johnson

Shoes- JuJu

These pictures don't match the sizes of the rest of the blog and it's driving me insane! They weren't taken on my specific camera though, so I suppose I can't complain. I didn't come prepared! The day was spent out in the 'country' at my grandpa's house, and it was surprisingly peaceful. I didn't think being out in the fields with some horses and cloudless skies would appeal to me, but it was a nice break from being in the crowded suburbs and cities. A quick trip to the grocery store for some grilling food revealed that I'm not meant for this life permanently, though. I saw FAR too many sparkly butt jeans and angel wing t-shirts out in Missouri for my own tastes!

This was my first real attempt at pattern mixing, and looking at the pictures I think one of the prints needed to be a little larger. Maybe some thicker stripes with the small polka dots or some larger polka dots with the skinny stripes. I don't think it turned out too badly though. Do you have any trips for print mixing?